Obituary of Francesca D'Avirro
" Our beloved Nonni "
December 8, 1926 - September 12, 2023
Francesca Maria Concetta D'Avirro (Mancini) in her 97th year, passed away peacefully, lovingly surrounded by family in her St. Catharines home of 67 years. Devoted wife of 40 years to Nicola Maria (predeceased June 11, 1986). Loving mother to Nella (Larry predeceased May 11, 2023) Mullen and Michael (Sandra) D'Avirro. Cherished Nonni to 5 grandchildren Teresa (Shawn) Chickowski, David (Heather) Mullen, Jennifer (Jeff) Stewart, Nicole (Craig) Beattie and Adrian (Melanie) D'Avirro; 9 great grandchildren Quinn, Nicole (Brian), Amanda (Andy), Meaghan, Parker (Mariah), Jackson (Kallea), Ashley, Ava, Emmett and 3 great, great grandchildren Vinny, Violet and Malcolm. She will be dearly missed by cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Francesca was born in Campodipietra, Italy. She married (December 17, 1946) in Campodipietra and had two children before coming to Canada. In 1953 Francesca, her mother-in-law Serafina and two children Nella 5 and Michael 2 travelled by boat and immigrated to Canada. Settling in St. Catharines, Francesca became a long time parishioner of St. Alfred Church, where she volunteered for the "out of the cold" program helping to prepare and serve hot meals for the homeless and was a Eucharistic minister. A long time dedicated and hard worker for Jeffery's Greenhouses, she always appreciated her work life and loved her home garden. Francesca lived a simply beautiful life and embraced her family and extended family gatherings, preparing amazing home cooked meals and baking pineapple cream sponge cakes for birthday celebrations. She was always very thoughtful and generous with her time and loving service to family. Nonni's greatest joy was her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren who would leave her home with piles of pizzelle and a little bit of pocket money. Nonni our #1 and we, her family, are most grateful to have been able to support her wishes to remain in her home and her 10 day end of life journey with the assistance of Home and Community Care Support Services, Paramed, Care Partners, her family and the amazing lead care coordinator, her grandson, Adrian.
Nonni is our " wonder woman " who has been a pillar of strength, love, sound mind and unity for our family her entire life. Thank you Nonni for filling our hearts with your unconditional love and kindness, which is everlasting and for your example of forgiveness; we are forever grateful ❤️
The family will receive friends and visitors at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME, 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines on Sunday September 17th from 2-4 pm & 6-8 pm, with Vigil Prayers at 3:30 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Alfred Church, 272 Vine Street, St. Catharines on Monday September 18th at 11:00 am. Burial to follow at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Community Support Services of Niagara. Please visit: https://happyinmyhome.ca/
"... Love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12 (ESV)